Napoleon Harris returns to Oakland

Seven years after entering the league as a first-round pick of the Raiders, linebacker Napoleon Harris has returned to Oakland.

Per a league source, Harris signed a one-year deal with the team on Monday.

The seven-year veteran, who was regarded as a so-so performer early in his career, was traded to the Vikings along with a first-round pick and a seventh-round pick in early 2005 for receiver Randy Moss.

Harris became a full-time starter for the Vikings in 2006, and he became a solid contributor in that first year Minnesota used the Tampa Two defense.

After his rookie contract expired following the 2006 season, Harris joined the Chiefs as a free agent.

Kansas City cut Harris during the 2008 season, and he returned to Minnesota, where the Vikings were thin at the middle linebacker position after a season-ending foot injury suffered by E.J. Henderson. Harris appeared in ten games and started five for the Vikings.

The decision to sign Harris could be a sign that Kirk Morrison’s dislocated elbow is in worse condition than advertised.

Sure are stock piling LB’s this season… 3 rookies from the draft pool, morlon greenwood came aboard, and now Napoleon Harris. Not to mention Kirk Morrison, Thomas Howard, Sam Williams, John Alston, and Ricky Brown who have all seen playing time this pre-season.

radrntn says:Aug 24, 2009 7:20 PM

let’s see if he can make the team….Here we go back to Mel Kiper, who had him as the #1 linebacker, and a top ten pick…

jb10 says:Aug 24, 2009 7:57 PM

” The decision to sign Harris could be a sign that Kirk Morrison’s dislocated elbow is in worse condition than advertised.”
OR maybe the defensive front 7 stink and they are looking to upgrade?

RaiderChile says:Aug 24, 2009 8:30 PM

Mel Kiper is the most over rated football talent scout for any media. This guy flat out sucks. I have yet to see any of his insight turn into all pro, pro bowl or hall of fame players. Did he ever evaluate anyone who is a stud, please let me know and I’ll take it back. Harris never turned into a stud and is a body that will eventually get cut. The d line is horrible! At least Turd Sands will be gone. As to the Niner fiasco Saturday, the defensive scheme is the problem. They are doing what they did last year. I don’t think the playoffs or 2nd in the AFC west will be attainable this year. I am looking for 7 wins for a good year. Will be a LONG TIME before the Raiders are relevant with Al at the top.

kcchiefs says:Aug 24, 2009 8:31 PM

“OR maybe the defensive front 7 stink and they are looking to upgrade?”
Harris isn’t an upgrade over anyone, he’s a perfect Raider.

shake&bake says:Aug 24, 2009 8:45 PM

Besides Brown and Howard don’t we already have enough suck ass linebackers? Did we really need one more? I love Morrison as a cover backer but the guy is soft against the run we need an animal in the middle. Maybe Napolean will surprise us i dunno.

Silver&Black666 says:Aug 24, 2009 9:18 PM

kcchiefs
We are so glad for your cellar dwelling ass because at least we know we wont be last in our division that’s already your spot!

Harry Snutts says:Aug 24, 2009 9:27 PM

He signed to retire a Raider. He will be flippin burgers by week 1.

as big as a hat says:Aug 24, 2009 11:08 PM

Look, there’s a kcchiefs finally making an appearance. Sure, they come in all lower-case, but still, it looks as though someone has awaken the dead. Maybe kcchiefs can scroll back far enough to discover they still suck.

DocBG says:Aug 24, 2009 11:08 PM

Harry Snutts says: August 24, 2009 9:27 PM
He signed to retire a Raider. He will be flippin burgers by week 1.
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so you’re saying he’ll be more productive than the rest of oakland defense?

raiderbaltimoron says:Aug 24, 2009 11:17 PM

i am still sore about the way they treated greg biekert, bumping NH into the starter job just before the 2002 season got underway.

ragin40 says:Aug 25, 2009 12:11 AM

A kc fan? Didn’t know they still exist….

jb10 says:Aug 25, 2009 9:44 AM

so you’re saying he’ll be more productive than the rest of oakland defense?
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that is funny! some truth to it and it stings a bit but funny.